Boma or Jiko

[RoseMom]

Trying to decide between dining at Boma or Jiko for our upcoming trip in a few weeks. We have never dined at either. Our 12 year old daughter and 4 year old son will be with us. The one thing holding me back with Boma is the 12 year old will be charged the adult buffet price and I know she will not eat that much food. Thoughts?? We have dined at Sanaa before so we wanted to try one of the other AKL restaurants.

 

[sponica]

I'd look at the menu for Jiko and then decide.

 

[wabbott]

Didn't see bobotie or zebra domes at Jiko. That would be a deal-breaker for me. Have you time to do both?

 

[CynBeth]

We love Boma!

 

[Neurodude84]

Boma every time.

 

[lilmc]

I'd look at the menu for Jiko and then decide.

Ditto. Buffets are easier to find something for everyone even if she doesn’t eat much. But if the Jiko menu works, then I’d go there.

zebra domes

Everyone else loves them, but I do not. Way too boozy for me.

 

[Best Aunt]

Didn't see bobotie or zebra domes at Jiko. That would be a deal-breaker for me. Have you time to do both?

In the past, you could get zebra domes in the grab and go section of the Mara at Jambo House. I haven't been lately so I don't know if that's still the case.

 

[Smugpugmug]

In the past, you could get zebra domes in the grab and go section of the Mara at Jambo House. I haven't been lately so I don't know if that's still the case.

I don't know about the Mara but the gift shop at Kidani had them in the freezer when I was there in May.

As for OP's question, I would personally go with Jiko but your family might prefer Boma due to the amount of options.

 

[Jonnnyap]

Both are fantastic restaurants, and we've been to them many times across the years. We go to both (and Sanaa) every trip. We went to Jiko this summer and while the atmosphere was still fantastic, the menu had changed slightly and the food was not as good as it has been in the past. Boma continued to be great, and everyone loved the choices. Between the two, Jiko seems more of a couples/adult meal, and Boma is more of a family meal. You're right that Boma is expensive, especially for a 12 year old; my DDIL went with us to Boma last time and barely ate anything, so I sympathize with you in not wanting to pay ~$60 for ~$15 worth of food... but as I say to my wife, "we don't go to Disney to save money." Hope you enjoy whichever you choose. They're both great restaurants!

 

[RanDIZ]

Boma is my favorite restaurant on property. It has uniqueness, quality and obviously quantity. I do agree that the child’s price is a bit extreme and eats nowhere near $32 worth of food. It’s just another pay more, get less benefit of greedy Disney. ‘Ohana is priced higher and not even close to the quality and selection of Boma.

 

[Dulcee]

Jiko is one of our favorite restaurants on property. We've never had a bad meal there. And I wouldn't want to pay the Boma kid prices for a light/picky eater.

 

[SouthJersey]

Jiko is one of our favorite restaurants on property.
Oak grilled filet, short rib, etc.
I wish they'd bring back the rack of lamb

 

[supersnoop]

With the kids, I'd probably stick with Boma. For adults or a mature kid with a refined palate, I'd go with Jiko.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

With the kids, I'd probably stick with Boma. For adults or a mature kid with a refined palate, I'd go with Jiko.

Exactly what I was going to say. Boma for families, Jiko for couples.

 

[BigOnDis]

Jiko is fantastic, one of the best meals that I have ever had at Disney, but Boma is better with picky eaters. If the kids can identify what they would eat at Jiko, I would go there, if not, there is something for everyone at Boma.

 

[Dulcee]

Exactly what I was going to say. Boma for families, Jiko for couples.

We HATE doing buffets with small kids. Its a lot of work if you are just there as a nuclear family (2 adults and multiple kids). Just a lot of juggling and up and downs. Jiko has a very simple kids menu if you have kiddos 9 and younger. For older kids that are disney "adults" I can see the Boma benefit.

 

[sponica]

We HATE doing buffets with small kids. Its a lot of work if you are just there as a nuclear family (2 adults and multiple kids). Just a lot of juggling and up and downs. Jiko has a very simple kids menu if you have kiddos 9 and younger. For older kids that are disney "adults" I can see the Boma benefit.

Hehe, I get up and down enough times at home. really don't want to do that on vacation. Once I can send them for their own plates without them dropping anything, then I'll do a buffet.

 

[Minniesgal]

Once upon a time I would have said Jiko but it isn’t what it used to be food is much blander and choice much more limited. I’d pick boma

 

[Gludfssr]

Between Boma and Jiko, Boma will give you more options for kids that are not willing to try new things, but If you don’t want to spend the money on the buffet then go to Sanaa which is easily the best restaurant on the premises.

 

[toodycat]

Jiko is a phenomenal restaurant. We’ve had some extraordinary family meals there, including my husband’s 50th birthday. However, the menu is not that extensive (7 entrees) and the prices are not cheap. (Lowest entree price is $38 for chicken or plant based. The highest priced entree, filet mignon, is $54 ) The kids menu is for 9 and under and has some more familiar dishes, starting with pizza at $10. Also, if you enjoy wines, the S. African wines at Jiko are excellent.

Don’t get me wrong. Boma is great too. We’ve had some excellent meals there and the variety is such that everyone should be able to find several dishes they’ll enjoy. It is more casual and a meal at Boma will take less time which might an advantage with a 4 year old. I think you will wind up paying a lot for the 12 year old’s meal in either venue.